The PharmD Scholarly Project is a cornerstone of the USC Mann PharmD experience, giving students the opportunity to engage in original research that addresses real-world challenges in pharmacy and health care. Completed individually or in small groups, the project strengthens analytical thinking and introduces students to the full process of scientific inquiry.
Through this experience, students learn to evaluate literature, develop meaningful research questions, collect and analyze data, and apply appropriate research methods. By the end of the program, graduates are well prepared—and highly competitive—for postgraduate training and career opportunities.
Projects span a wide range of disciplines, including clinical practice, basic science, education, behavioral health, health services, community practice and epidemiology.
Scholarly Projects by the Numbers
- Since 2018, an average of 75 projects have been presented annually at the PharmD Scholarly Project Symposium.
- The PharmD Class of 2026 included 172 students completing 64 unique projects across diverse practice settings, such as acute care, community practice, education and industry.
- About 75% of project advisors are USC faculty or staff, while 25% are external preceptors, health care professionals, scientists and researchers.
Timeline
Students begin building the foundation for their projects in PHRD 508: Pharmacy Literature Analysis and Drug Information, where they develop research questions and conduct literature reviews. They also form project groups and connect with potential advisors.
Students enroll in PharmD Scholarly Project I and begin developing their proposals. After submission, the Scholarly Project Committee reviews each proposal, provides feedback and grants approval.
In PharmD Scholarly Project II, students bring their research to life by collecting and analyzing data, while sharing progress and receiving feedback from peers and faculty.
Students complete their work in PharmD Scholarly Project III by finalizing data analysis and preparing abstracts and posters. The experience culminates in March with the presentation at the PharmD Scholarly Project Symposium.
Project Advisors
Every project is guided by an experienced advisor, including USC Mann faculty and staff as well as external preceptors, health care professionals, scientists and researchers.
The Scholarly Project Committee carefully reviews advisor qualifications early in the process to ensure strong mentorship. This collaboration creates meaningful opportunities for professional growth, while also advancing scholarly work and quality improvement initiatives that can lead to improved care delivery and publishable research.
PharmD Scholarly Project Symposium
The annual USC Mann Scholarly Project Symposium is the capstone of the experience. Third-year pharmacy students present their research to faculty, peers, alumni and the broader USC community.
Projects are evaluated by judges, and the top presentations are recognized with cash awards—celebrating innovation, impact and academic excellence.
